Talent show gives ROAR the X-factor

Member of Parliament for Macclesfield, David Rutley, took on the role of Simon Cowell, when he participated as a judge on a panel for a talent show held by Reach Out And Recover (ROAR) at St Michael’s Church.

The show saw many people involved in ROAR’s recovery programme display their wide range of talents, in front of an audience and a panel of four judges, including David. All those who attended saw a number of acts, ranging from poetry to music, from people who have been involved with the organisation’s alcohol and drug addiction support services.  The winners were a Spice Girls tribute act, but everyone was winner on the day.

ROAR was set up as a Community Interest Company, on a non for profit basis in May 2014. Despite having no funds and very little support from other professional bodies to begin with, it has managed to create a structured recovery housing project, which has already demonstrated successes for the people who are in and have come through ROAR’s programme.

People who have turned to ROAR for help have also begun volunteering with local churches, Cheshire & Wirral Partnership and Emerging Horizons, while some have secured work experience with Peaks and Plains Housing Trust. It has also succeeded getting people back together with their families; giving children their parents back and parents their children back.

Speaking following the show, David said, “I was very pleased to be a judge at ROAR’s talent show, which was a great success and was enjoyed by all. I was really impressed by the quality of talent on display. Events such as these are invaluable in strengthening the self-esteem and confidence of those tackling alcohol and drug dependency. I would like to thank all who helped to put this talent show together, and it was a great success.”